DR.  WOODS’S 


FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


THE  PROFITS  OF  THIS  SERMON  WILL  BE  DEVOTED  TO 
THE  SUPPORT  OF  FOREIGN  MISSIONS. 


SERMON 


DELIVERED  AT  THE 

TABERNACLE  IN  SALEM, 

Feb.  6,  1812,  * 

On  occasion  of  tub 

ORDINATION 


THE  REV.  MESSRS. 


SAMUEL  NEWELL,  A.  M.  ADONIRAM  JUDSON,  A.  M. 
SAMUEL  NO TT,  A.  M.  GORDON  HALL,  A.  M. 
AND  LUTHER  RICE,  A.  B. 

MISSIONARIES 


TO  THE  HEATHEN  IN  ASIA. 


UNDER  THE  DXRECTXON  OF  TUS 


BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  FOREIGN  MISSIONS- 

BY  LEONARD  WOODS,  D.  D. 

ABBOT  PBOFESSOR  OF  CHRISTIAN  THEOLOGY  IN  THE  THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY  IN  ANDOVER. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED  AND  SOLD  BY  SAMUEL  T.  ARMSTRONG,  CORNHILL, 

1812. 


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INTRODUCTION. 


It  seems  proper  that,  in  this  place,  some  account  should 
be  given  of  the  origin,  and  progress  of  that  Missionary 
zeal,  which  has  issued  in  sending  messengers  of  peace 
to  publish  the  gospel  in  the  eastern  hemisphere. 

It  has  been  often  said,  within  a few  years  past,  that 
Christians  in  America  ought  to  support  missions  among 
the  heathen  in  Africa  or  Asia;  but  the  writer  of  these 
paragraphs  is  not  able  to  state,  whether  any  young 
man  of  suitable  education  seriously  thought  of  engag- 
ing personally  in  such  a mission,  earlier  than  about  four 
years  ago.  About  that  time  some  of  the  young  men 
mentioned  just  below,  while  pursuing  their  studies 
in  different  places,  and  unacquainted  with  each  otlier, 
made  missions  among  the  heathen  a subject  of  delib- 
erate and  prayerful  contemplation,  and  resolved  to 
devote  themselves  to  this  service,  should  Providence 
prepare  the  way.  They  considered  it  doubtful,  how- 
ever, whether  they  should  have  an  opportunity  of  en- 
gaging in  this  employment;  and,  in  the  mean  time, 
they  sedulously  examined,  and  re-examined  the  sub- 
ject, and  used  every  advantage  in  their  power  to  gain 
information  respecting  the  state  of  the  heathen,  and 
the  encouragement  to  preach  the  gospel  among  them. 

In  the  spring  of  1810,  these  young  gentlemen,  with 
others  who  joined  them,  disclosed  their  views  to  the 
Professors  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Andover, 
^ where  they  were  then  prosecuting  their  studies.  In 
June  following,  they  applied  for  advice  and  direction 
to  the  General  Association  of  Massachusetts  Proper, 
then  silting  at  Bradford.  The  application  was  made 
in  W’riting,  and  signed  by  Messrs.  Adoniram  Judson, 
Samuel  Nott,  Samuel  J.  Mills,  and  Samuel  Newell. 
They  state  the  history  of  their  views  and  feelings  on 
the  subject,  and  make  several  inquiries,  with  respect  tc 


6 


which  they  solicit  the  advice  of  their  fathers  in  the 
church. 

The  Association  appointed  a Committee  to  make  re- 
port on  the  a|}plication;  and,  in  consequence  of  the 
report,  proceeded  to  institute  a Board  of  Commission- 
ers for  Foreign  Missions,  “for  the  purpose  of  devising 
ways  and  means,  and  adopting  and  prosecuting  meas- 
ures for  promoting  the  spread  of  the  gospel  in  heathen 
lands.”  The  Board  was  composed  of  nine  gentlemen 
well  known  to  the  Christian  public.  The  Association 
advised  the  young  gentlemen  “to  wait  the  guidance  of 
Providence  in  respect  to  their  great  and  excellent  de- 
sign.” 

The  Board  of  Commissioners  held  their  first  meet- 
ing at  Farmington,  (Con.)  Sept.  5, 1810.  After  form- 
ing a Constitution,  and  appointing  officers,  “they  took 
measures  to  obtain  the  beat  information  in  their  pow- 
er, respecting  the  state  of  unevangelized  nations;  high- 
ly approved  the  readiness  of  the  young  gentlemen  at 
Andover  to  enter  upon  a foreign  mission;  and  advised 
them  to  pursue  their  studies  till  further  information 
relative  to  the  missionary  field  be  obtained,  and  the 
finances  of  the  institution  will  justify  the  appointment.” 
They  also  prepared  and  published  an  address  on  the 
subject  of  missions. 

The  Board  metagain,  at  Worcester,  Sept.  18,  1811. 
During  the  year  which  had  elapsed,  the  Prudential 
Committee  of  the  Board  examined  and  approved  four 
young  gentlemen,  as  future  missionaries  to  the  heathen; 
viz.  Messrs.  Judson,  Nott,  and  Newell,  above  named, 
and  Mr.  Gordon  Hall,  also  a student  at  Andover.  Mr. 
Mills,  had  not  finished  his  theological  education,  and 
for  that  and  other  reasons  was  not  examined  with  his 
brethren.  The  Committee  also  sent  Mr.  Judson  to 
Fngland  to  confer  with  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  ^ 
London  Missionary  Society  and  to  procure  important 
information  on  thesuliject  of  missions,  which  could  not 
be  so  well  procured  in  any  other  way.  He  was  wel- 
comed with  great  cordiality  by  the  Directors,  who  en- 
gaged to  take  him  and  his  three  brethren  under  their 
e«re,  juud  to  allow  them  salaries,  and  employ  them  on 


a mission,  if  the  funds  of  the  American  Board  should 
not  be  competent  for  their  sujjport. 

The  Board  appointed  the  four  brethren,  above  named, 
missionaries  “to  labor  in  Asia  either  in  the  Birman 
empire,  in  Surat,  or  in  the  Prince  of  Wales’s  Island,  or 
elsewhere,  as,  in  the  view  of  the  Prudential  Committee, 
Providence  shall  open  the  most  favorable  door,”  and 
advised  them  “to  wait  the  further  intimation  of  Provi- 
dence as  to  support  from  this  country  in  the  proposed 
Foreign  Mission.” 

At  this  meeting  Messrs.  James  Richards,  and  Edvvard 
Warren,  students  at  Andover,  ofiered  themselves  to  the 
Board  for  the  missionary  service,  and  were  approved 
and  taken  under  the  patronage  of  the  Board. 

The  missionary  brethren  were,  in  the  mean  time, 
fitting  themselves  for  their  future  arduous  employment. 
Messrs.  Newell  and  Hall  attended  courses  of  medical 
lectures,  both  at  Boston  and  Philadelphia,  in  older  to 
be  more  extensively  useful  among  the  heathen. 

About  the  middle  of  last  month  it  was  found  that  a 
ship  was  soon  to  sail  from  Philadelphia  to  Calcutta. 
No  time  was  to  be  lost.  Robert  Ralston,  Esq.  of  Phil- 
adelphia, with  that  zeal  for  missions  and  for  Christian- 
ity which  he  has  long  manifested,  took  an  active  and 
very  friendly  part  in  facilitating  the  embarkation  of  the 
young  men,  both  by  procuring  passages  for  them  on  very 
favorable  terms,  and  by  making  a generous  donation. 
Messrs.  Newell  and  Hall  hastened  to  meet  their  breth- 
ren at  Salem,  where  it  was  determined,  by  the  Pruden- 
tial Committee,  to  have  them  ordained,  and  to  send 
them  immediately  to  the  field  of  Missionary  labor.  Mr. 
Luther  Rice,  who  had  been  a student  in  the  same 
Theological  Seminary,  was  then  employed  as  a candi- 
date for  the  ministry,  offered  himself  to  the  Prudential 
Committee  to  join  the  mission,  and  was  approved  and 
accepted. 

The  Prudential  Committee  sent  to  several  neighbor- 
ing churches,  and  convened  a Council^  at  Salem,  on 


•The  Council  was  composed  of  pastors  and  delegates  from  the  North 
Congregational  churcl)  in  Newburyport,  the  Congregational  church  in 
Charlestown,  and  the  Tabernacle  churclt  in  Salem;  also  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 


8 


the  6th.  instant,  at  which  time  and  place  the  Jive  young 
gentlemen  were  solemnly  consecrated  to  the  service  of 
God  in  the  gospel  Ministry  among  the  heathen.  On 
this  occasion  the  following  Sermon,  Charge,  and  Right 
Hand  of  Fellowship,  were  delivered  before  a crowded 
and  deeply  affected  auditory.  It  is  confidently  believ.^ 
ed,  that  such  impressions  were  made  by  the  solemni- 
-ties  of  the  day,  as  will  be  lasting  and  salutary.  Three 
of  the  persons  ordained,  viz.  Messrs.  Nott,  Hall,  and 
Rice,  set  out  the  same  evening  to  go  with  all  practica- 
ble haste  to  Philadelphia.*  The  other  two  sailed  \vith 
their  wives  from  Salem,  on  the  morning  of  Wednes- 
day the  19th.  instant,  commended  by  the  prayers  of 
multitudes  to  the  gracious  protection  of  God.f 

The  issue  of  this  mission  must  be  cheerfully  left  to 
the  disposal  of  Him,  who  is  the  Lord  of  the  universe, 
and  who  will  ultimately  establish  his  kingdom  through 
the  whole  earth. 

Griffin,  pastor  of  Park  Street  church  in  Boston,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Woods, 
Professor  at  Andover.  The  Rev.  Professor  Stuart  was  invited  to  attend, 
but  was  necessarily  prevented. 

•Mr.  Nott  was  married  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia  and  took  his  wife 
with  him;  the  other  two  went  single. 

They  went  on  board  the  ship  Harmony,  (in  which  they  had  taken  their 
passage,)  on  the  evening  of  the  18lh.  instant,  and  probably  sailed  from 
Newcastle  the  next  morning, 

t They  sailed  in  the  brig  Caravan. 

TebrUARY  29,  1812. 


SERMON. 


PSALM  Uyu. 

God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us;  and  cause 
his  face  to  shine  upon  us.  that  thy  way  may  be 

KNOWN  UPON  EARTH,  THY  SAVING  HEALTH  AMONG 
ALL  NATIONS.  Let  the  people  praise  thee,  0 God; 
let  all  the  people  praise  thee.  Let  the  nations  be 

glad  and  sing  for  joy. Let  the  people  praise  thee, 

0 God;  let  all  the  people  praise  thee.  God  shall 
bless  Its;  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall 

FEAR  HIM. 

J 

Can  any  real  Cliristian  be  a stranger  to  the  enlarged 
views,  the  benevolent  desires,  and  pleasing  anticipa- 
tions of  the  pious  author  of  this  Psalm?  It  cannot  surely 
be  necessary  to  inform  my  audience  that  every 
true  worshipper  of  God  resembles  him  in  love,  and 
can  be  satisfied  with  nothing  short  of  all  that  infinite 
love  designs.  The  Christian  has  a heart  to  feel  for  his 
fellow  creatures.  He  takes  into  account  their  tem- 
poral comfort,  and  endeavors  to  promote  it; — their 
temporal  wants  and  sufferings,  and  does  what  in  him 
lies  to  relieve  them.  But,  when  their  spiritual  inter- 
est is  liefore  him;  when  he  contemplates  the  value  of 
2 


10 


their  souls,  and  the  prospect  which  the  gospel  opens 
of  immortal  happiness  in  the  world  to  come;  his 
bowels  of  compassion  are  moved;  his  tenderest  affec- 
tions kindled;  pure  and  heavenly  love  pervades  and 
warms  his  soul.  He  longs  for  the  eternal  felicity  of 
his  kindred  and  friends,  of  his  country  and  the  world. 
His  hearts  desire  and  prayer  to  God  is,  that  all  men 
may  he  saved, — that  all  human  beings  may  forsake 
their  evil  ways,  and  turn  to  the  Lord;  that  his  king- 
dom may  come,  and  his  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is 
done  in  heaven.  With  this  holy  affection  reigning  m 
his  heart,  the  fervent,  devoted  Christian  presents  him- 
self a living  sacrifice  unto  God;  and  counts  it  a privi- 
lege to  do  and  to  suffer  any  thing  for  the  advance- 
ment of  his  cause.  He  is  ready  to  “endure  all  things 
for  the  elect’s  sake,  that  they  also  may  obtain  the  sal- 
vation, which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  with  eternal  glory.” 
In  this  state,  no  difficulty  discourages;  no  danger 
alarms.  The  sacrifice  of  property  and  pleasure; 
stripes,  imprisonment,  and  death,  lose  their  terrors, 
and  become  more  attractive,  than  any  earthly  good. 
He  is  as  steady  to  his  purpose,  as  resolute,  active,  and 
patient  in  pursuit,  as  the  restless  miser,  or  the  ambi- 
tious conqueror.  And  as  their  desire  of  wealth  and 
of  conquest  is  insatiable  and  unbounded;  so  is  his  de- 
sire for  the  diffusion  of  Christian  knowledge  and  hap- 
piness. Every  degree  of  success  attending  the  dispen- 
sation of  the  gospel,  even  a single  instance  of  conver- 
sion among  the  weakest  and  meanest  of  mankind, 
yields  him  the  pui’est  pleasure.  But  this  pleasure  only 
increases  desire.  His  enjoyment  of  the  good  already 
attained  ui’ges  him  on  to  the  pursuit  of  more.  'I’he 
progressive  enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  will 
constantly  enlarge  the  benevolence  of  his  heart.  While 
there  is  a nation  or  tribe  under  hcaviMi  not  sub- 


11 


ducd  to  Christ;  tlie  enlightened,  ierv'ent  Christiaii  can- 
jiot  rest.  His  unalterable  object  is,  that  the  knou'l- 
edge  of  the  Lord  man  fill  earth.  Ills  heart  beats 
h igh  for  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

This,  my  dear  brethren,  is  the  true  spirit  of  our  holy 
religion.  This  is  the  alTection  which  glows  in  every 
new  born  soul.  This  is  the  principle  which  governs 
and  animates  the  church  of  Christ. 

I shall  not  make  it  my  business  to  prove  the  exis- 
tence of  an  allection  so  difl'usive  and  generous,  in  the 
hearts  of  Christians.  Nor  shall  1 endeavor  to  enter- 
tain you  with  ingenious  speculations  on  the  theory  of 
benevolence,  nor  w'ith  florid  declamations  on  its  beau- 
ty. These  would  be  as  sounding  brass  and  a tink- 
ling cymbal On  this  new  and  very  interesting  oc- 

casion, my  object  is  to  rouse  you  to  benevolent  ex- 
ertion. I would  persuade  you  to  act,  decidedly  and 
zealously  to  act  under  the  influence  of  Christian  love. 
I would  excite  you  by  motives  which  no  follower  of 
Christ  can  resist,  to  make  the  spread  of  the  gospel, 

AND  THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  W ORLD,  THE  OBJECT  OF 
YOUR  EARNEST  AND  INCESSANT  PURSUIT. 

Myfrst  motive  is  the  worth  of  souls.  Man,  a 
creature  of  yesterday,  frail  as  the  tender  grass,  is  made 
for  IMMORTALITY.  The  lamp  which  the  Lord  hath 
lighted  up  in  his  breast,  will  burn  forever.  The  mind 
will  be  ever  vigorous  and  active.  No  labor  can 
exhaust  it.  No  length  of  ages  can  waste  its  vigor. 
No  pressure  of  guilt  or  suftering  can  destroy  its  activ- 
ity. Such  a mind,  destined  to  exist  and  act  forever, 
destined  to  the  bliss  of  heaven,  or  the  pains  of  hell, 
lives  in  every  human  being,  in  the  savage  as  well  as 
in  the  citizen;  in  the  heathen  as  well  as  in  the  Chris- 
tian; in  the  Hindoo,  the  Chinese,  and  the  Hottentot, 
as  well  as  the  polished  European  or  American. — In 


12 


the  name  of  him  who  died  on  Calvary,  I call  upon 
you,  O Christians,  to  labor  for  the  salvation  of  beings 
that  will  never  die.  Of  what  consideration  is  their  na- 
tion, climate,  color,  language,  government,  education, 
manners?  Here  all  distinctions  vanish.  Learned  and 
ignorant,  refined  and  rude,  honorable  and  base,  are  all 
on  a level  in  point  of  accountableness  to  God  and  im- 
mortality of  soul.  Rise  then  above  all  the  distinc- 
tions which  misguide  our  judgments  and  our  hearts, 
and  seek  the  salvation  of  this  great  family  of  im- 
mortals. 

In  some  favored  hours  of  divine  illumination,have  you 
not  seen,  have  you  not  felt  the  ineffable  preciousness  of 
your  own  souls?  Have  you  not  cast  away  every  thing  as 
dross  for  eternal  salvation?  And  has  not  the  grace  of 
God  taught  you  to  love  your  neighbor  as  yourselves? 
See  the  poor,  degraded  Africans.  See  the  thousands  of 
children  sacrificed  in  the  Ganges.  See  the  throngs 
of  miserable  pilgrims  pressing  forward  to  devote  them- 
selves to  the  impure  and  sanguinary  worship  of  Mo- 
loch. The  souls  of  all  these  are  as  precious  as  your 
own.  The  wisdom  of  God, — the  blood  of  the  dying 
Savior  has  so  declared.  Do  you  love  i/oiir  own  souls, 
then?  and  will  you  not  love  theirs? — Change  places 
with  them.  Put  yourselves  in  their  condition,  and 
them  in  yours. — You  are  then  spending  your  life  in  a 
land  of  darkness,  ignorant  of  God,  slaves  to  the  basest 
superstition  and  most  hateful  vices.  Moved  by  pity 
and  love,  they  send  a herald  of  the  cross  to  preach  sal- 
vation in  your  cars.  He  comes  and  speaks  to  you  of 
Jehovah  and  his  law;  discloses  your  guilt,  and  points 
you  to  the  judgment  day.  He  preaches  to  you  Jesus, 
the  Savior  of  sinners.  With  trembling,  bleeding  hearts, 
you  go  to  the  Savior,  and  he  gives  you  rest.  I low 
gi’eat  the  salvation!  How  happy  your  state!  Would 


13 


you  not  forever  exalt  the  Redeemer’s  name?  Would 
you  not  love  and  thank  the  messenger  of  his  grace, 
and  those  who  sent  him?  Now,  if  salvation  would 
be  so  great  a blessing  to  you,  why  not  to  those  who 
arc  actually  in  the  condition  here  sujDposed?  And  if 
you  woidd  love  and  thank  those  who  sought  your 
salvation,  why  not  secure  to  yourselves  the  same  love 
and  gratitude  from  heathens  saved  by  your  labors? 

Imagine  the  souls  of  your  kindred  in  pagan  dark- 
ness, having  never  heard  the  name  of  Immanuel. 
Imagine  your  children,  parents,  brothers,  sisters  this 
moment  in  the  midst  of  India,  woi*shippeis  of  the  hor- 
rid idol  Juggernaut.  Would  not  your  heaits  leap  for 
joy  to  see  these  dear  young  ministers  going  to  teach 
them  the  way  of  life?  Would  any  thing  be  too  pre- 
cious to  part  with  in  order  to  animate  their  zeal,  and 
help  them  to  rescue  from  ignorance  and  ruin  the  ob- 
jects of  your  love?  But  have  not  the  Indians  souls  as 
precious  as  the  souls  of  your  kindred? — Nay  rather, 
they  are  themselves  your  kindred;  allied  to  you  by  the 
ties  of  a common  nature;  offspring  of  the  same  heav- 
enly Father;  children  of  the  same  family.  In  every 
human  being  you  see  a brother  or  a sister,  O for- 
get not  the  partners  of  your  blood!  Send  some  of  your 
Bibles  and  preachers  to  your  dear  kindred  in  Asia. 

The  second  motive  by  which  I urge  you  to  seek  V' 
the  conversion  of  all  mankind  is  the  plenteousness 

OF  THE  PROVISION  WHICH  CHRIST  HAS  MADE  FOR  THEIR 
SALVATION.  Were  there  any  thing  scanty  in  this  pro- 
vision,— any  deficiency  in  divine  grace, — any  thing 
circumscribed  in  the  evangelic  offer;  our  zeal  for  prop- 
agating the  gospel  would  be  suppressed;  the  tongue 
and  hand  of  Christian  charity  would  be  paralized.-  But 
my  brethren,  the  word  of  eternal  truth  has  tauglit  us 
that  Jesus  tasted  death  for  every  man;  that  he  is  the  pro- 


14 


f 


pitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for 
the  sins  of  the  u'hole  xvoi'ld;  that  a rich  feast  is  pre- 
pared, and  all  things  ready;  that  whosoever  will  may 
come  and  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely.  This  great 
atonement  is  as  sufticient  for  Asiatics  and  Africans,  as 
for  us.  This  abundant  provision  is  made  for  them  as 
well  as  for  us.  The  door  of  Christ’s  kingdom  is  equally 
open  to  them  and  to  us.  Unnumbered  millions  of 
our  race  have  entered  in;  and  yet  there  is  room.  The 
mercy  of  God  is  an  ocean  absolutely  exhaustless;  and 
so  far  as  his  benevolence  is  a pattern  for  our  imitation, 
and  a rule  to  govern  our  exertions  and  prayers,  he 
xcills  that  all  men  should  be  saved.  Christians,  you 
have,  then,  full  scope  for  your  pious  benevolence  and 
zeal.  In  your  labors  and  prayers  for  the  salvation  of 
men,  you  cannot  go  beyond  the  bounds  fixed  for  you 
by  the  Savior  himself.  You  are  not  straitened  in 
God.  Y ou  have  no  occasion  to  feai'  that  in  this  cause 
your  zeal  and  activity  will  exceed  the  abundance  of 
grace.  Y ou  have  a warrant  from  God  to  strive  for 
the  salvation  of  the  whole  world.  And  wherever  the 
preaching  of  the  cross  shall  stir  up  them  that  are  lost 
to  seek  salvation,  there  salvation  will  be  found.  Per- 
suade the  whole  empire  of  Birmah,  and  China,  and 
all  the  East  to  come  to  the  gospel  supper,  and  they 
will  all  be  supplied; — to  enter  into  the  kingdom,  and 
they  will  all  be  admitted.  Every  |Derishing  sinner  on 
earth  would  find  the  same  welcome  >\  ith  yourselves. 
In  any  country  or  corner  of  the  world,  “When  the 
poor  aud  needy  seek  water,  and  there  is  none,  and 
their  tongue  faileth  for  thirst;  1 the  Lord  will  hear 
them;  I the  God  of  Israel  will  not  forsake  them.”  Uc- 
member  then,  Christians,  you  cannot  exhaust  the  mer- 
cy of  God.  Exert  yourselves  to  the  utmost  for  the  sal- 
vation of  mankind;  your  exertions  will  fall  far  bclgtV 


15 


Ujc  heiglit  of  redeeming  love.  Its  length  and  breadth 
will  infinitely  transcend  your  largest  benevolence. 

The  third  motive,  1 shall  present,  is  the  command  of 
OUR  lord; — “go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
THE  gospel  to  EVERY  CREATURE.”  Tliis  command 
is  an  exact  expression  of  the  heart  of  Jesus;  a display 
of  the  vastness  of  his  love.  It  would  be  very  easy  to 
show  that  the  obligation  of  this  command  is  not  to  be 
confined  to  tlie  twelve  apostles.  It  is  limited  to  no 
age  or  nation.  Tlie  command  is  binding  upon  Chris- 
tians “always  even  to  the  end  of  the  world.”  The 
reasons  which  moved  the  apostles  to  preach  the  gos- 
|)el  to  every  creature,  remain  in  full  force.  Nations 
without  the  gospel  are  as  wretched  now  as  they  were 
then.  Their  salvation  is  as  necessary,  as  important, 
and  as  easily  accoinj^lished. 

Will  any  say  this  command  is  obligatory  upon  the 
ambassadors  of  Christ,  and  not  upon  private  Chris- 
tians? It  is  indeed  the  duty  of  ambassadors  of  Clwist . 
to  go  and  preach  the  gospel  to  all  the  world.  The 
JVlessiah  is  given  to  be  a light  to  the  Gentiles.  I’hc 
Gentiles  must  be  enlightened  in  the  doctrine  of  salva- 
tion. Tliey  must  hear  the  glad  tidings.  “But  how 
can  they  hear  without  a preacher?  And  how  can  they 
preach,  except  they  be  sent?”  If  ministers  must  go 
forth,  the  Christian  world  must  send  them.  If  they 
must  devote  tlieir  life  to  the  business  of  evangelizing 
the  heathen,  the  Christian  world  must  suppoH  them. 

Does  the  thought  arise,  that  the  apostles  went  forth 
w’ithout  such  support?  They  did; — for  there  was  no 
Christian  nation  or  church,  overtlowing  with  wealth, 
to  support  them.  But  whatever  their  peculiar  circum- 
stances obliged  them  to  do,  the  general  maxim  which 
they  laid  down  was,  'dhat  no  man  goeth  a xcarfare 
at  his  own  charges.’' 


16 


Blit  I cannot  stop  to  reason.  I make  my  appeal 
to  your  generosity.  I’hose  who  go  to  teach  your 
brethren  in  pagan  lands,  must  be  maintained.  But  at 
present  they  cannot  receive  maintenance  there.  The 
heathen  must  be  converted,  and  formed  into  Christian 
societies,  before  adequate  provision  for  the  ministers 
of  Christ  can  be  expected  from  them.  Will  you  then 
see  your  missionaries,  who  have  left  all  to  preach  the 
gospel  of  peace  among  the  poor  heathen,  reduced  to 
the  necessity  of  abandoning  their  sacred  office,  and  en- 
gaging in  servile  labor  for  their  daily  bread?  Will  you 
see  your  apostles,  the  ambassadors  of  peace  from 
America,  clothed  in  rags,  and  compelled  to  beg  or 
starve?  And  must  they  tell  the  heathen  that  they  are 
thus  forsaken  of  their  Christian  brethren,  who  have 
enough  and  to  spare? 

It  is  too  obvious  to  need  any  farther  illustration, 
that  the  Christian  community  at  large  has  a deep  con- 
cern in  the  command  of  Christ,  ‘-to  go  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.”  1 urge  this 
command  of  our  risen  Savior,  as  absolutely  obliging 
you  to  seek  the  conversion  of  the  'world.  The  uni- 
versal spread  of  the  gospel,  and  the  salvation  of  the 
ends  of  the  earth  is  a business  in  \vhich  every  Christian 
ought  to  take  a part.  This  gracious  injunction  was 
given  by  our  Lord  just  before  he  ascended  into 
heaven.  It  was  a most  memorable  occasion.  He 
had  finished  his  work  on  earth,  and  was  about  to 
return  to  his  Father  and  our  Father,  to  his  God  and 
our  God.  He  knew  the  superabounding  grace  which 
flowed  from  Calvary;  the  ruined  state  of  man,  and 
the  saving  power  of  his  cross.  All  nations  and  ages 
were  before  him.  Then,  with  the  love  and  authority 
of  the  King  of  Zion,  he  gave  the  command,  to  cvan- 


17 


gelhe  all  nations.  And  can  any  one  who  has  the 
heart  of  a ciii  istian,  or  of  a man,  refuse  obedience? 

My  fourth  motive  is  derived  from  the  conduct 
OF  THOSE  WHO  received  this  command,  and  of 

CHRISTIAN  MISSIONARIES  IN  SUCCEEDING  TIMES,  The 

apostles  ”"tcent  forth,  and  preached  every  ivlierey 
They  ti’avelled  into  various  parts  of  the  idolatrous 
world,  preaching  the  gosj)cl  to  the  poor; — planting 
and  watering  churches;  and  encountering  fierce  and 
cruel  persecutions.  In  all  their  journcyings,  labors, 
and  snficrings,  their  invariable  object  was,  that  God's 
way  might  be  known  upon  earth,  and  his  salvation 
to  all  nations. 

The  same  spirit  appeared  in  the  primitive  churches. 
Under  the  first  sermon  which  was  preached  after  the 
ascension  of  Christ,  three  thousand  were  converted. 
What  was  the  fruit  of  their  con^  ersion?  We  are  im- 
mediately told  that  ‘‘they  who  believed  w^ei’C  together, 
and  had  all  things  common;  and  sold  their  possessions 
and  goods,  and  parted  them  to  all  as  every  one  had 
need.”  From  time  to  time  the  churches  and  individ- 
ual Christians  assisted  the  apostles  in  their  journies, 
and  contributed  in  various  ways  to  the  propagation 
of  the  Christian  religion. 

How  excellent  the  spirit  of  the  apostles,  and  of  those 
early  converts  to  the  Christian  faith!  Can  you  help 
feeling  tl^  attraction  of  such  examples?  Will  you  not 
imitate  those  who  beheld  the  glory  of  the  only  be- 
gotten of  the  Fafiier,  full  of  j>race  and  truth,  and  re- 
ceived of  his  fulness?  Shall  the  first  apostles  and  mar- 
tyrs of  Christianity  be  forgotten?  Read  the  history  of 
their  self-denying  labors,  their  deprivations  and  sac- 
rifices, their  patience  under  reproach  and  torture,  and 
their  inextinguishable  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  sinners. 


18 


!Read  too  tiie  history  of  what  has  in  later  times  beev? 
done  by  the  missionaries  of  Christ  in  Eurojje,  Asia,  Afri- 
ca, and  America.  And  consider  that  it  was  owing 
to  Missicmary  labors,  that  your  distant  ancestors  were 
delivered  from  their  idols,  and  entrusted  with  those 
sacred  oracles  which  they  liave  transmitted  to  you. 
While  you  revolve  these  things,  do  not  your  hearts 
burn  within  you?  Do  you  not  look  with  admiration 
upon  the  faithful  messengers  of  grace?  and  do  you 
not  long  to  be  partakers  of  their  labors  and  sufTeringi, 
their  success,  and  tlieir  crowns  of  glory? 

My  fifth  motive  is  derived  fronj  the  peculiar  de- 
sign OF  CHRISTIANITY  IN  CONTRADISTINCTION  TO 
JUDAISM,  AND  ITS  ADAPTEDNESS  TO  BE  A UNIVER- 
SAL RELIGION.  Brethren,  we  are  not  disciples  of  Ju- 
daism. But  have  w'e  not  had  too  much  of  its  limited 
and  exclusive  spirit?  Have  we  not  thought  it  enough 
to  enjoy  the  scriptures  and  the  ministei’s  of  religion 
among  ourselves,  w'ithout  any  care  to  send  them  to 
other  nations?  But  why  should  we  indulge  feelings 
so  adverse  to  the  Clu  istian  dispensation,  and  limit  that, 
which  its  divine  author  has  left  unlimited?  Why 
should  we  engross  a religion  to  w'hich  all  nations  have 
an  equal  right,  and  w’hich  is  adapted  to  universal  use? 
As  w'ell  might  wx  think  of  engrossing  the  common 
Ikht  and  air. 

The  doctrines  of  Christianit}'  are  aiiplicablc  to  all 
men;  because  all  have  the  same  natun;,  and  stand  in 
the  same  relation  to  God  and  to  one  anotlhu”.  The 
laws  of  Christianity  ai’c  suit(*d  to  govern  mankind  of 
every  nation  and  climate.  'Phese  laws  rest  on  geixTal 
principles,  and  extend  equally  to  the  whole  human 
race.  The  corruptions  which  tlicy  rc(juire  us  to  suh- 
"'e  found  in  every  child  of  Adam.  1’he  repent- 


atlCe,  faith,  and  holiness,  which  they  demand,  are  eriualli^ 
tlie  duties  of  all  nations.  All  the  promises,  ordinan- 
ces, and  blessings  of  the  gospel,  would  be  as  preoi-.u^; 
to  renovated  pagans,  as  they  arc  to  us. — Why  should 
wc  withhold  such  a religion  from  the  unnumbered 
millions  who  people  the  eastern  world?  We  will  not, 
brethren.  Wc,  who  profess  to  believe  and  love  Chris- 
tianity, will  not  adopt  principles  and  measures  so  con- 
trary to  its  celestial  nature,  and  its  dilfusive,  benign 
tendency. 

My  sixth  motive  is  derived  from  prophecy.  My 
brethren,  has  not  the  notion  often  insinuated  its<ilf  into 
our  minds,  that  all  has  been  done  which  can  be  dont 
for  the  conversion  of  the  world,  and  that  things  arc 
likely  to  remain  much  ' ‘‘Or  if  we  have 


not  admitted  this  in  theoi^  , been  our  practi- 

cal sentiment?  When  we  have  looked  upon  the  mil- 
lions of  men  who  are  uncivilized,  degraded,  without 
God  and  without  hope,  are  we  not  prone  to  give  up 
their  conversion  as  hopeless?  And  if  it  is  not  the  lan- 
guage of  our  lips,  is  it  ixit  of  our  feelings,  that  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  will  stop  where  it  is;  that  the  obstacles 
in  the  way  of  christianizing  the  nations  of  the  earth 
are  too  great  to  be  surmounted;  and  that  the  most  we 
can  expect  is  to  maintain  the  ground  already  secured. 
To  raise  you  above  this  sinking  discouragement  and 
indolence,  I will  open  to  you  the  prophetic  page. 
“He  shall  see  the  travail  of  his  soul  and  be  satisfied.” 
“i#  is  a light  thing  that  thou  shouldst  be  my  servant, 
to  raise  up  the  tribes  of  Jacob,  and  to  restore  the  pre- 
served of  Israel; — /u'i//  also  give  thee  for  a light  to 
THE  GENTILES,  that  tliou  mayest  be  my  salvation  to 
the  ends  of  the  earth.  Ask  of  me,  and  i will 

GIVE  THEE  THE  HEATHEN  FOR  THINE  INHERITANCE, 
AND  THE  UTTERMOST  P.^RTS  OF  THE  EARTH  FOR  THY 


POSSESSION.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God;  behold  1 ’will 
lift  up  mj/  hand  to  the  Gentiles,  a}id  set  up  my  stand- 
ard to  the  people. — All  the  ends  of  the  earth 

SHALL  SEE  THE  SALVATION  OF  GOD.”  Shall  thcSC 
glorious  predictions  fail  of  accomplishment?  Shall 
these  unchangeable  decrees  of  the  Almighty  be  frus- 
trated?— Heaven  and  eai  th  shall  pass  away,  tR.it  not 
one  jot  or  tittle  of  these  promises  shall  fail.  I’he 
mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

When  we  survey  the  idolatrous,  blind,  barbarous 
nations  of  the  world,  our  courage  fiags;  and  we  ask, 
with  desponding  heai  ts,  can  these  dry  bones  live? — We 
forget  the  everlasting  God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of 
the  ends  of  the  eaith.  who  faintetii  not,  neither  is 
weary.  We  forget  that  all  nations  arc  in  his  hands; 
that  he  fashioneth  them  as  he  plcast'th. — Because  the 
convej'sion  of  the  veurld  is  bey  ond  our  power,  we 
think  it  beyond  the  power  of  God.  Well  might  Christ 
say  to  us,  ‘-Oh  ye  of  little  faitliT — Did  Paul  indulge 
such  despondency  when  he  conferred  not  with  llesh 
and  blood;  but  with  the  ardor  of  a young  conveit, 
and  the  fearless  fidelity  of  an  apostle,  preached  the 
word  of  God  in  Greece,  in  Asia,  and  in  Rome?  Did 
Wicklilfe  indulge  such  feelings?  Dirl  Luther?  Did 
Swartz,  Eliott,  Ikaincrd? — Away  with  every  hesitat- 
ing, unbelieving  thought!  Is  tlie  Lord’s  arm  short- 
ened that  it  cannot  save?  In  his  grace  exhausted? — 
The  great  design  of  God  is  not  yet  accomplished.  He 
who  died  and  lives  again,  is  not  yet  satisjied.  Eighteen 
hundred  years  ago  he  said;-~“And  I,  if  1 be  lifted  up 
from  the  earth,  u ill  draw  all  men  unto  me.”  And  he 
said,  more  than  two  thousand  veal's  ago;  Look  unto 
me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  the  ends  of  the  earth;  for  I 
am  God,  and  there  is  none  else.” — This  word  has  not 
returned  unto  him  void.  The  whole  Christian  world 


testifies,  that  it  has  been  astonish iiighj  cjjicacious — It 
will  be  still  more  clficacious.  The  word  of  the  I^ord 
does  not  grow  old  and  decay;  but  is  ever  new  and 
powerful.  Its  accomplishment  is  gradual,  sometimes 
slow,  but  alwa^’s  sure.  To  him,  with  whom  a thou- 
sand years  arc  as  one  day,  and  one  day  as  a thousand 
years,  the  things  which  he  has  foretold  or  determined, 
are  as  certain  as  though  actually  accomplished. 

Do  you  then  begin  to  cast  your  eye  over  the  world, 
and  ask;  IIoxo  can  those  benighted  places  be  illumin- 
ated? llo  jo  can  those  depraved  ivretchcs  be  conveiied? 
How  can  the  deaf  hear,  and  the  dumb  sing? — IMy 
friends,  this  is  the  very  design  of  the  gospel.  I'hese 
are  the  very  effects  which  it  is  fitted  to  produce. 

Do  you  still  hesitate,  and  yield  to  fear,  thinking, 
with  gloom  and  discouragement,  that  although  eigh- 
teen centuries  of  the  Christian  Era  hav  e passed  away, 
the  greater  part  of  the  vvoi  ld  is  yet  in  Mahometan  or 
pagan  darkness;  thinking,  too,  how  few  ministers  we 
have  even  for  ourselves;  how  difficult  it  is  to  instruct 
even  a small  number  of  heathens,  and  to  guard  them 
from  apostasy,  when  they  become  proselytes;  how 
difficult  to  civilize  savages;  how  lit|de  all  past  exertions 
have  effected;  and  that  we  are  not  to  look  for  mirac- 
ulous operations.  Is  this  the  state  of  your  minds? 
And  when  you  hear  God,  by  the  mouth  of  a prophet, 
declaring;  “From  the  rising  of  the  sim  even  unto  the 
going  down  of  the  same,  my  name  shall  be  great 
among  the  Gentiles;  and  in  every  place  incense  shall 
be  offered  unto  my  name  and  a pure  offering;  for  my 
name  shall  be  great  among  the  jhcathen;”  do  you 
again  despondingly  inquire;  “how  can  this  great  work 
he  done? — Such  unbelief  is  a dishonor  to  God. — Do 
you  say,  w'e  must  keep  the  ground,  which  our  relig- 
ion has  already  gained? — The  best  way  to  do  this  is, 


to  gain  more. — Do  you  say,  we  have  but  few- minis- 
ters for  our  own  country^ — Multiply  them,  then,  by 
giving  part  to  the  heathen.  “He  that  watereth  shall 
be  watered  also  himself.” 

Why  should  you  ask  how  this  great  work  of 
converting  the  nations  can  be  donef  I might  ask 
you,  how  could  the  earth  and  all  its  inhabitants 
be  created?  How  could  the  heavens  be  stretch- 
ed out  as  a curtain  ova’  your  heads?  What  po^\er 
is  it  that  sustains  the  world,  and  causes  all  its  mo- 
tions and  changes?  Do  you  talk  of  power?  The 
God  who  forms  a blade  of  grass,  and  begets  a drop 
of  dew,  can  as  easily  converi  a soul?  And  he  who 
converts  one  soul,  can  as  easily  convert  a nation — 
Every  day,  in  the  midst  of  heathen  lands,  Grod  exerts 
a power  sufficient  to  save  the  universe.  Who  gives 
to  the  pagans  life  and  breath,  reason  and  conscience? 
Who  causes  their  sun  to  shine,  and  their  ground  to 
j^ield  its  fruits? — Say  no  more,  then;  how  can  the  great 
work  of  converting  the  nations  be  done?  It  is  only 
FOR  GOD  TO  SPEAK  THE  WORD.  He  caii  causc  all  Asia 
to  bow’  to  his  grace,  as  easily  as  he  can  shake  the  leaves 

of  the  forest And  as  to  miraculous  operations,  we 

will  only  ask  of  God  to  repeat  among  the  heathen  the 
same  miracle  that  w’as  wrought  in  christianizing  your 
ancestors;  the  same  that  was  wrought  in  bringing  to 
the  foot  of  the  cross  every  believer  who  sees  the  light 
of  heaven. 

My  hearers,  1 must  not  detain  you.  But  I cannot 
forbear  to  hint  at  the  operations  of  divine  provi- 
dence AT  THE  present  TIME.  The  events  of  these 
last  days  are  highly  animating  to  the  hopes  of  Chris- 
tians. The  liOrd  has  given  the  word,  and  great  has 
been  the  company  of  the  publishers.  A large  itumber 
of  mimsters  of  different  denominations,  moved  by  the 


2S 


love  of  souls,  hiive  labored  in  the  gospel  where  Ciirist 
had  not  been  named.  The  multiplication  of  Bible  Soci- 
eties in  Great  Britain  and  America,  the  libc*rality  and 
zeal  they  have  displayed,  and  the  success  which  has 
crowned  their  unconfined  operations,  have  exceeded 
the  most  sanguine  hopes;  and  we  are  now  reaching 
forward  to  the  blessed  time  when  the  vanous  nations 
of  the  Eastern  world,  and  the  Islands  of  the  sea,  will 
i-ead  in  their  own  tongues  the  words  of  eternal  life. — I 
mention,  asanotlier  favorable  sign  ot  the  present  times, 
that  facilities  for  the  pious  education  of  youth  and  for 
the  general  diffusion  of  Christian  knowledge  arc  great- 
ly increased. — Another  most  delightful  omen  is  the 
effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  consequent  revival 
of  religion  in  several  of  our  Colleges,  and  in  a great 
number  of  our  churches  and  Societies  in  different  parts. 
At  the  same  time  the  attention  of  Christians  is  roused, 
in  an  unparalleled  degree,  to  the  interests  of  tlie  Re- 
deemer’s kingdom. 

My  feelings  also  constrain  me  to  speak  of  it  as  a cit- 
cumstance  highly  encouraging,  that  among  the  friends 
of  evangelical  religion  gi'eater  love  and  harmony  have 
begun  to  appear.  Christians  of  different  denomina- 
tions,  Episcopalians,Presbv'terians,Congregationalists, 

Baptists,  Moravians,  new  divinity  men,  and  old  divin- 
ty  men,  have  all  been  more  or  less  disposed  to  attach 
too  much  importance  to  the  points  in  which  they  dif- 
fer from  each  other.  They  have  had  party  spirit. 
They  have  had  narrow  prejudices.  They  have  often 
been  more  forward  to  proselyte  to  their  own  sect, 
than  to  Christ; — to  set  up  themselves,  than  to  do  jus- 
tice to  others.  They  have  liad  contention,  and  strife, 
and  evil  speaking  among  them.  They  have  injured 
the  truth  by  discussing  the  impoiiant  subjects  of  disa- 
ayeement  without  due  meekness  and  candor,  and  by 


u 


laying  out  too  much  sti  cngth  on  those  which  are  un- 
important. These  things  I say  honestly,  and  in  the 
fear  of  God.  Christians  have  wanted  some  gi’and  ob- 
ject to  seize  tlieir  hearts  and  engage  all  their  powers-, — 
some  great  and  common  cause  in  the  promotion  of 
which  they  might  be  effectually  pui  ified  from  error 
and  find  a grave  for  all  their  jealousies  and  animosi- 
ties; and  in  which  the  eternal  truths  of  Revelation 
might  be  maintained  with  unyielding  firmness,  and 
propagated  with  augmented  and  unconquerable  zeal, — 

The  SPREAD  OF  THE  GOSPEL  aild  THE  CONVERSION  OF 
THE  WORLD  constitute t/ic  vei'ij object  wixnted, — the  com- 
mon cause  which  ought  to  unite,  and  has  already  be- 
gxin  to  unite  the  affections,  prayers,  and  labors  of  the 
great  family  of  Christians.  This  harmonizing  spirit 
among  the  follow  ers  of  Christ  forebodes  good  to  Zion. 

O may  it  increase,  and  diffuse  its  happy  irtfluence,  till 
Christians  of  every  name  shall  be  so  completely  occu- 
pied with  the  Redeemer''s  cause,  as  to  forget  their  own. 

Even  the  civil  revolutions  and  convulsions,  and  the  _ 
dcBolating  wars  of  the  present  day,  need  not  dishearten. 
For  they  are  not  only  suited  to  withdraw-  our  affec- 
tions from  the  perishable  things  of  this  w-oiid,  and  fix 
them  on  the  immoveable  kingdom  of  God;  but  are 
themselves  jiresages  of  the  church's  prosperity.  The 
Lord  shook  all  nations  just  before  the  Desire  of  all  na- 
tions came.  He  has  arisen  now  to  shake  tcnibly  the 
earth;  and  we  expect  .the  spiritual  coming  of  Christ, 
and  the  millennial  glory  of  the  church,  will  soon  fol- 
low. 

All  the  passing  events  of  llic  civil  and  religious  world, 
in  connexion  with  prophecy,  indicate  the  approach  ot 
better  days.  In  many  instances  this  favunihlc  ten- 
dency of  things  is  obvious;  and  where  it  is  not,  we 
should  be  e(|Uall^'  strong  in  faith,  (iod  lovi’s  the  church; 


2.5 


and  will  make  all  things  contribute  to  its  welfare. 
At  all  times  he  keeps  a steady  eye  upon  the  kingdom 
ofg  race.  In  all  his  works,  this  is  the  object  most 
dear  to  him.  Compared  to  this,  the  interests  of  earthly 
kingdoms  are  nothing.  He  will  build  up  nations  or 
cast  them  down,  cause  convulsions  and  wars,  or  give 
tranquillity,  as  he  sees  will  be  most  conducive  to  the 
extension  and  final  glory  of  the  church. 

Dear  brethren,  can  you  pursue  a more  excellent  ob- 
ject than  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  and  the  convet'- 
sion  of  the  leorld'^  1 have  endeavored  to  excite  you 
to  this  pursuit  by  a variety  of  motives,  derived  from 
the  worth  of  immortal  souls,  and  the  plenteoiisness  of 
the  provision  which  Chiist  has  made  for  their  salva- 
tion; from  the  express  command  of  our  Lord;  from 
the  Example  of  those  who  first  received  it,  and  of 
otbeifii  who  followed  them;  from  the  peculiar  design 
of  chiistianity,  and  its  adaptedness  to  be  a universal 
religion;  from  the  spirit  of  prophecy;  and  from  the 
operations  of  divine  Providence  at  the  present  day. 
Are  you  not  persuaded  by  these  motives,  and  others 
which  will  readily  occur  to  you,  to  give  yourselves 
to  this  great  work?  Are  you  not  resolved  to  do  every 
thing,  to  pari  with  every  thing,  to  submit  to  every  thing, 
to  forward  tliis  glorious  design  of  filling  the  earth  with 
the  knowledge  of  the  Lord?  Yes,  I trust  many  of  you 
say — tee  are  persuaded;  ue  are  resolved.  JVe  feel 
that  xce  are  not  our  oten.  Lm'd,  xvhat  veilt  thou  have 
us  to  do?  We  will  no  longer  live  to  ourselves,  but  to 
him  who  died  for  us,  and  rose  again.  Lord,  make 
use  of  our  talents,  our  substance,  our  labors,  our  sif- 
ferings  for  the  welfare  of  thij  church;  for  the  salva- 
tion of  those  who  are  perishing  in  sin.. — If  we  foi'- 
get  thee  Oh  Jerusalem,  let  our  right  hand  forget  her 
cunning. 


-1 


26 


'DEAR  YOUNG  MISSIONARIES, 

1 trust  these  feelings  are  yours.  Y ou  have  devoted 
your  lives  to  the  work  of  making  known  among  the 
Gei^tiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  We  know 
you  do  not  leave  your  native  land,  because  you  have 
not  the  fairest  prospect  of  reputation,  usefulness,  and 
comfort  here.  You  go,  wc  believe,  because  the  love 
* of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  your  hearts  by  the  Holy 
Ghost.  We  fondly  look  upon  you,  as  chosen  vessels 
unto  Christ,  to  bear  his  name  before  the  Gentiles. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  the  Gentiles,  that  he  hath 
put  this  design  into  your  hearts.  7’he  cause  in  which 
you  have  enlisted,  is  the  cause  of  divine  love.  You 
have  chosen  the  noblest  and  most  honorable  work  on 
earth;  more  honorable  than  the  laurels  of  conquerors, 
or  the  diadems  of  kings.  But  it  is  also  arduous  and  per- 
ilous. Who  is  sufficient  to  do  the  work  of  an  apostle  to 
the  heathen?  When  you  have  seriously  contemplated  the 
greatness  of  this  work,  you  have  often  cried  out;  ‘-Lord, 
if  thy  presence  go  not  with  us,  carry  us  not  hence.” 
I hope  you  will  never  forget,  that  'ivithoiit  Christ,  you 
can  do  nothing.  W'ithout  the  help  of  Christ,  you  can 
no  more  advance  his  kingdom  among  idolaters,  than 
you  can  scatter  midnight  darkness  by  a word.  He 
that  planteth  is  nothing,  and  he  that  watereth  is  noth- 
ing. The  increase  is  wholly  of  God.  Without  his  as- 
sistance, you  will  not  only  fail  of  success,  but  of  fi- 
delity and  perseverance.  If  you  should  be  forsaken 
of  God,  what  would  your  conduct  be?  and  what 
would  become  of  your  mission? — The  piccious  name 
of  Jesus  would  bt’  blasphemed  among  the  pagans. 
Your  light  would  go  out  in  darkness.  Shame  and 
blushing  would  cover  the  faces  of  your  patrons  and 
friends;  and  their  hearts  would  die  within  them.  'I’hc 
bright  and  celestial  llame,  which  has  been  kindling  up 


27 


among  us, — how  would  it  be  extinguished! — My  dear 
friends,  I would  not  distress  you; — but  you  know  this 
would  be  the  dreadful  result  of  your  mission,  if  the  / 
special  help  of  God  should  not  1x3  granted  you.  But  if 
you  go  forth  in  the  strength  of  Christ,  y^ou  will  be  burn- 
ing  and  shining  lights  in  regions  of  darkness  and 
death — We  hope  to  hear  good  tidings  of  great  joy 

from  the  East Your  personal  exei  tions  can  indeed 

go  but  a little  way.  But  be  not'discouraged  on  this 
account.  Think  how  it  will  be  in  Asia  a ccntuiy  or 
two  hence.  The  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  you  are 
sent  to  promote  toward  the  rising  of  the  sun,  will  tx' 
like  a little  leaven,  which  a woman  took  and  hid  in 
three  measures  of  meal  till  the  whole  was  leaveixid. 

It  will  be  like  a grain  of  mustard  seed,  which,  when  it 
is  sown  in  the  earth,  is  less  than  all  the  seeds  that  be 
in  the  earth.  But  when  it  is  sown  it  groweth  up, 
and  becometh  greater  than  all  herbs,  and  shooteth 
forth  gi'eat  branches,  so  that  the  fowls  of  the  air  may 
lodge  under  the  shadow  of  it.  In  some  chosen  re- 
gions, the  Lord  enable  you  to  plant  this  precious  seed. 

To  see  young  men,  who  have  been  my  beloved  pupils, 
faithfully  preaching  Christ  among  the  heathen,  shall 
be  my  joy  and  my  croitm.  Oh  may  the  first  fruits  of 
our  Seminary  in  pagan  lands  be  to  the  praise  of  the 
glory  of  divine  grace. 

Dear  young  men,  I will  not  break  your  hearts  and 
my  own  by  dw’elling  on  the  affecting  circumstances 
of  this  parting  scene.  If  yo\\must  go,  I will  animate 
and  comfort  you.  Remember,  then,  though  tee  must 
leave  you,  HE,whom  your  soul  loveth,  will  not.  The 
God,  you  will  worship  on  the  plains  of  Hindostan, 
will  be  the  same  God,  whom  you  have  here  worship- 
ped in  our  Seminary,  in  the  Sanctuary,  and  in  the 
closet.  The  Savior,  w’hom  you  will  adore  and  trust 


£8 


in  there,  will  be  the  very  Savior,  whose  glory  you 
have  seen,  and  of  whose  fulness  you  have  received 
here. — Go  then,  dear  missionaries,  with  tlie  partners 
of  your  life,  the  objects  of  your  tenderest  affection  ; 
and  may  God  Almfghty  be  your  Preserver.  Go, 
and  remember  you  are  not  your  own.  Go,  and  ‘‘de- 
clare the  glory  of  the  Lord  among  the  heathen,  his 
wonders  among  all  people.”  Esteem  the  repronch 
of  Christ  greater  riclies,  than  all  the  wealth  of  India. 
The  parents  and  friends  you  leave  behind  will  never, 
never  forget  you,  till  their  hearts  are  cold  in  death. 
Our  earnest  affections  and  prayers  will  constantly  at- 
tend you.  We  shall  share  with  you,  in  every  peril 
you  will  encounter  by  sea  and  by  land.  All  the  suc- 
cess you  obtain,  and  all  the  joy  you  partake,  will  be 
ours.  Every  sorrow'  that  melts  you,  and  every  pang 
that  distresses  you,  will  also  be  ours.  We  shall  often 
meet  you  at  the  mercy  seat,  where  you  and  we  may 
find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need.  You  will  be  as 
dear  to  our  hearts,  and  as  near  to  God  and  to  heaven 
in  Asia,  as  in  America. — If  w'^e  are  friends  of  God,  our 
separation  will  not  be  forever.  At  the  glorious  appear- 
ing of  the  Son  of  God,  we  hope  to  see  you,  dearly  be- 
loved, and  those  whom  your  labors  may  rescue  from 
pagan  daikness,  at  his  right  hand.  The  God  of 
mercy  grant,  that  we  may  then  join  with  you,  and 
with  a great  multitude  which  no  man  can  number,  of  all 
nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues,  who 
will  stand  before  the  throne  and  before  the  Lamb,  and 
cry  with  a loud  voice,  saying,  sah  ation  to  our  God, 

who  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  luito  the  Lamb With 

this  joyful  anticipation,  I do,  my  dear  friends,  cheer- 
fully, and  most  affectionately,  bid  you.  farewell. 

Ilrethrcn  and  friends,  these  dear  young  men  are 
going  to  preach  to  the  heathen  that  religion,  which  is 


29 


your  comfort  in  life,  your  hope  in  death,  your  guide 
to  heaven.  Consider  yourselves  now  looking  upon 
them  for  the  last  time,  before  you  shall  meet  them  at 
the  tribunal  of  Christ.  Assist  them  in  their  arduous 
office  by  your  substance,  and  by  your  prayers.  Bear 
them  on  your  hearts  when  you  draw  near  to  God. 
The  decisions  of  the  judgment  day  will  show,  how 
cold  has  been  our  warmest  zeal,  how  trifling  our  best 
. exertions,  how  languid  our  most  fervent  prayers,  com- 
^ pared  to  the  greatness  of  the  object  now  before  us. — 
The  Lord  of  the  universe,  in  these  last  days,  is  about 
* to  do  a marvellous  work;  a work  of  astonishing  pow- 
er and  grace.  The  time  of  his  glory  is  come.  He 
» will  soon  destroy  all  idol  worship.  The  thrones  of 
wickedness  he  will  level  w^ith  the  dust.  He  will  dissi- 
pate the  gross  darkness,  which  covers  the  nations. 
He  w’ill  send  out  his  light  and  truth,  shed  down  his 
quickening  Spirit,  and  renovate  the  world.  The  earth 
shall  be  full  of  the  knowiedge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  wa- 
ters cover  the  sea.  My  hearers,  God  offers  you  the 
privilege  of  aiding  in  this  great  work  of  converting  the 
nations; — a w'ork,  w’hich  he  has  reserved  to  these  last, 
best  days; — a work,  which  the  holy  apostles  would 
almost  wish  to  live  again  to  promote;  and  in  which 
the  hosts  of  heaven  exceedingly  rejoice.  The  God  of 
love  ofFei’s  you  the  honor  and  happiness  of  taking  a part 
in  this  blessed  icork.  Nothing  else  is  worth  living  for. 

But  who  w'ould  not  live,  labor,  and  die  for  this? 

“Arise,  shine.  Oh  Zion,  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee — And  the  Gentiles 
shall  come  to  thy  light,  and  kings  to  the  brightness  of 
thy  rising.”  Amen. 


• 

u,  it  4ir ''T  ' ',  .T»’*.f)  M if^  * 


i V-^A  ^ ■ si  lT  ^r;  vfr^  ')<.'‘  -:i  . 

;-i 

*.  .onfv;'’..- 

. - i'l  ...  ‘ ^ . 4 - •*?..  ’ w.  - • . '-  *v 


b'‘'fli. .-f  ■ A ifi^  ' ‘ ^'>  1‘t  .'"^^li ?■  'It 

n'ji-^vWt.t- rL^;t'  t^.,«1'v',.Af>  ; _ / 

X^rf  ;»•<’#“•  /I  t - fht/ '•■■  '■ 

:.'^  ^n»*  ^ f»rrj^.  .' >:  *j;  I vj^l  Uiv'-f*^ 

b - <V)i  kfu^V'jsUu.  •• 
riffl  }ii  i Y)},  i:c,  f 


- '•  Tr» 


vv;;-;: 


pM  Jk-»,A  'i;  M"1 


;'^  " A'-  ’'■ '. 


!iT: 

• ^ ^ 


VI 


W . » ' '''••  >a*,T 


THE 


CHARGE. 

DELIVERED  BY  SAMUEL  SPRING,  D.D. 

Paitor  of  the  J\/orth  Congregational  Church  in  ^noburyport, 
DEARLY  BELOVED  BRETHREN, 

While  we  recollect  this  memorable  direction  of 
Christ  to  his  chosen  Missionaries,  Go  ye  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature:  while  we  also 
survey  the  perishing  state  of  five  hundred  millions  of 
souls  in  Asia,  who  are  destitute  of  the  appointed  means 
of  salvation,  we  are  alarmed  at  the  neglect  with  which 
they  have  long  been  treated.  For  we  hear  our  merci- 
ful God  emphatically  say,  TVhom  shall  I send,  and  who 
will  go  for  us,  to  enlighten  and  rejoice  them  with  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation? — But  blessed  be  his  glorious 
name,  who  has  the  hearts  of  all  men  in  his  hand,  and 
directs  their  destinations,  you,  my  Brethren,  in  the  view 
of  these  Divine  interrogations,  have  promptly  answered, 
Here  we  are.  Lord,  send  us;  we  are  willing  to  accept 
the  important  mission.  We  will,  by  the  aid  of  thy  gra- 
cious providence,  take  the  parting  hand  of  our  parents, 
brothers  and  sisters,  and  other  dear  friends;  we  will  bid 
farew’ell  to  our  native  land,  and  cross  the  wide  ocean  to 
Asia,  for  the  sake  of  preaching  Christ  to  thousands  and 
millions  of  our  fellow  mortals,  who  never  heard  of  the 
Savior.  While  we  are  willing  to  ascend  to  heaven  from 
that  distant  clime,  w’e  hope,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  be 
happily  successful  in  pointing  the  way  to  some,  if  not 
to  many  of  the  Pagans,  who  W'ill,  without  seasonable 
instruction,  perish  for  ever. — For  how  shall  they  hear 
w'ithout  a preacher? 


32 


This,  if  you  know  your  own  hearts,  is  your  object; 
and  we  charitably  hope  you  are  not  deceived,  though 
“the  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately 
wicked.” 

With  your  readiness  to  embrace  a foreign  embassy 
to  the  heathen,  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  and  many 
devout  Christians  are  deeply,  and  it  is  hoped,  thank- 
fully impressed:  and  to  qualify  you  for  the  regular  ex- 
ecution of  it,  the  Council  appointed  by  the  Prudential 
Committee  have  invested  you  with  the  office  of  Christ’s 
minsters,  by  prayer  and  the  imposition  of  the  hands  of 
the  Presbytery. 

Being  then  the  ordained  ministers  of  Christ,  it  is  ex- 
pected, agreeably  to  the  established  order  of  the  Chris-  ^ 
tian  church  on  these  solemn  occasions,  that  you  now 
receive  the  word  of  exhortation,  or  the  usual  charge, 
which  I am  apjiointed  to  administer  in  the  name  and 
behalf  of  the  Council. 

Dear  Brethren^  whether  you  are  duly  qualified  for  ij 
the  mission,  does  not,  you  are  sensible,  depend  either 
on  your  opinion,  or  on  ours;  but  on  Christ’s  who 
searches  the  hearts  and  tries  the  reins  of  the  children  of 
men,  and  will  soon  reveal  the  real  character  of  every 
one  before  the  assembled  universe.  At  this  interesting 
moment,  then,  you  will,  if  Christians,  renewedly  con- 
secrate your  souls  and  bodies,  and  all  that  you  possess, 
to  the  Lord,  and  solemnly  engage  to  be  faitliful  minis- 
ters of  the  New  Testament,  among  the  Heathen  nations 
and  tribes  especially^  wherever  he  shall  cast  your  lot  and 
direct  your  exertions.  While  then  enlisting  under  the 
banner  of  the  Cross  in  this  public  manner,  to  preacli 
the  Gospel  to  the  perishing  world,  you  cannot  but  re- 
member that  you  will  displease  and  dishonor  Christ, 
that  you  will  injure  your  own  souls  and  the  souls  of  the 
heathen,  unless  you  sacrifice  pride,  ambition,  personal 


33 


honor  and  emolument,  and  every  private  consideration, 
to  the  glory  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  For  if 
human  distinction,  or  self  gratification,  in  any  form 
luhatever^  be  adverse  to  Christianity,  it  is  directly,  yea, 
it  is  totally,  hostile  to  the  character  and  office  of  Chris- 
tian missionaries.  To  obey  Christ,  and  imitate  his 
apostles,  those  faithful  and  successful  missionaries,  who 
in  the  course  of  a few  years  confounded  the  adversary 
and  his  bold  adherents,  by  spreading  the  light  of  the 
• Gospel  over  the  extensive  regions  of  the  East,  you 
must  be  the  subjects  of  deep  humilty  and  much  self- 
denial.  One  man  cannot  serve  two  masters.  He  can- 
not serve  God  and  mammon.  He  cannot  seek  his  own 
glory  and  the  glory  of  Christ.  You  must  practise 
denial  among  the  heathen  in  a conspicuous  manner.,  be- 
fore you  can  inculcate  it  with  advantage  and  success. 
They,  by  your  pious  conduct,  must  be  convinced  that 
your  religion,  that  your  God,  is  preferable  to  theirs,  bc- 
^ fore  they  will  forsake  idolatry  and  embrace  the  Gospel 
of  Christ.  It  will  be  fruitless  to  tell  them  about  invis- 
ible things,  about  Heaven  and  Hell,  eternal  happiness 
and  eternal  misery,  if  they  do  not  sec  in  your  Christian 
conduct  what  they  ought  to  imitate.  You  will  spend 
your  breath  and  time  in  vain,  except  you  let  them  sec 
the  real  expression  of  godliness  in  your  uniform  exam- 
ple. The  eyes  of  the  Heathen,  you  will  note,  rather 
than  their  ears,  are  the  avenues  by  which  you  can  rea- 
dily have  access  to  their  hearts.  You  must  let  them 
see  Christ  in  his  missionaries,  before  they  will  atten- 
tively and  patiently  hear  you  display  his  moral  excel- 
lency'. If  you  shew  them  how  Christ  and  his  Apostles 
lived,  by  living  like  them,  in  a meek,  humble,  and 
heavenly  manner,  you  may  then  preach  his  doctrines. 
This,  then,  we  emphatically  charge  you,  never,  never 
preach  the  theory  of  the  Gospel,  till  you  have  present- 
5 


3i 


ed  the  practice  of  the  Gospel  in  your  own  godly  exam- 
ple. To  you,  who  are  Christ’s  embassadors,  the  poor 
ignorant  creatures  will  look  for  the  character  of  the  cru- 
cified and  exalted  Redeemer:  and  if  they  see  him  not 
in  you,  they  will  despise  you  and  turn  away  from  your 
instructions  to  the  practice  of  idolatry.  And  woe  unto 
you,  if  you  be  found  deficient  in  this  respect.  But, 
my  brethren,  we  hope  better  things  of  you,  and  things 
which  accompany  salvation,  though  we  thus  speak. 
You  will  then  be  exemplary,  you  will  magnify  your 
office,  and  let  no  man,  no  heathen,  despise  your  youth. 

In  adaptii>g  your  instructions  to  the  heathen,  you 
will  exercise  much  wisdom  and  discretion.  We  make 
this  remark  because  many  missionaries  have  proved 
unsuccessful  among  the  heathen,  by  crowding  them 
with  strong  meat  even  before  they  were  prepared  for 
milk.  The  pagan  empire  is  an  empire  of  ignorance, 
delusion,  and  superstition.  They  know  less  than  noth- 
ing relative  to  the  glorious  provisions  of  the  Gospel. 
When  you,  therefore,  begin  to  instruct  them,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  give  them  the  most  simple  and  easy  les- 
sons in  the  rudiments  of  Christianity.  When  you  also 
attempt  to  feed  them  with  the  Ijrcad  of  life,  it  must  be 
discreetly  served  in  morsels  only.  For  you  will  find 
even  the  hopeful  converts  but  mere  babes,  who  can  di- 
gest nothing  but  milk,  whicli  must  also  be  given  in 
small  quantities.  You  will  be  instant  in  season,  out  of 
season,  both  in  public  and  from  house  to  house,  or  from 
cottage  to  cottage,  in  opening  to  them,  according  to  their 
apprehension,  the  being  and  perfections  of  God,  the  di- 
vinity of  scripture,  the  contents  of  his  law,  the  apostasy 
of  man,  the  necessity  and  nature  of  the  atonement,  the 
method  and  the  condition  of  salvation  pointed  out  by 
Christ  in  the  Gospel. 


35 


If  God  shall  succeed  and  bless  your  labors  of  love 
among  the  heathen,  in  multiplying  hopeful  converts, 
you  will  establish  churches,  break  to  them  the  bread  of 
life,  and  apply  the  seal  of  the  covenant  to  the  children 
and  domestics  of  believers,  agreeably  to  the  practice  of 
Abraham  the  father  of  the  faithful,  and  the  subsequent 
friends  of  truth,  who  tread  in  his  steps.  In  forming 
churches,  you  will  cautiously  admit  those,  and  those 
only,  who  exhibit  credible  evidence  that  they  are  the 
subjects  of  God’s  special  grace  in  regeneration.  For, 
if  like  the  degraded  priests  in  the  anterior  dispensation, 
you  omit  making  a proper  difference  between  the  holy 
and  unholy,  betw^een  Christians  and  sinners,  you  will 
depreciate  the  dignity  and  influence  of  the  Church,  and 
offend  Christ,  who  provides  sacramental  symbols  for  his 
own  children,  and  not  for  his  enemies.  We  give  you 
this  early  exhortation,  lest,  like  some  elated  pompous 
missionaries,  you  be  tempted  to  exhibit  a more  flattering 
account  of  converts  among  the  heathen  than  will  bear 
the  test,  when  God  shall  make  a separation  in  the  final 
decision  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked. 

Let  us,  my  friends  and  brethren,  act  before  Christ 
the  searcher  of  hearts  in  reference  to  this  object  on  the 
principle  of  integrity.  When  you  transmit  to  us  the 
state  and  success  of  your  mission,  tell  us  the  simple 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  and  then  you  will 
honor  God,  and  w’e  shall  repose  entire  confidence  in 
your  narratives. 

We  need  not  remind  you  that  the  object  and  the 
consequences  of  your  mission  are  inestimably  impor- 
tant, both  to  you,  the  church,  and  a multitude  of  souls. 
No  enterprise  comparable  to  this,  has  been  embraced 
by  the  American  church.  All  others  retire  before  it 
like  the  stars  before  the  rising  sun.  The  success  of 


36 


the  mission,  we  know  depends  upon  the  general  aid  ot 
Divine  Providence  and  God’s  special  grace.  If  this  is 
the  appointed  time  for  Christ  to  have  the  heathen  of 
Asia  for  his  inheritance,  or  only  to  prepare  the  way  for 
his  glory  in  that  extensive  region  of  pagan  darkness 
and  ignorance,  the  mission  will  probably  be  crowned 
with  success.  But  you  know,  my  friends,  from  your 
intimate  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  missionary 
exertions,  that  much  depends  upon  the  wisdom  and 
fidelity  of  the  missionaries.  Though  the  conversion  of 
heathens  is  the  special  work  of  God,  yet  we  must  re- 
member that  he  expects  the  concurrence  of  faithful  and 
able  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  God  does  not  operate 
alone:  and  as  no  miracles  are  expected,  the  poor  igno- 
rant heathen  will  be  lost,  unless  seasonably  instructed 
with  line  upon  line,  precept  upon  precept,  here  a little 
and  there  a little,  by  faithful  and  discreet  missionaries. 
How  vast,  then,  your  obligations  to  help  the  Lord  with 
all  your  might?  The  object  you  have  embraced  is  un- 
speakably great:  you  feel  the  pressure  of  it  when  you 
lie  down  and  when  you  rise  up:  but  the  motives  to  en-’ 
courage  and  support  your  trembling  hearts  are  answer- 
ably  great.  God  has  already  begun  his  glorious  work 
in  thS  East.  The  morning  star  has  appeared,  and  in- 
dicates the  near  approach  of  the  rising  sun.  God  will, 
his  praying  children  believe,  succeed  and  prosper  the 
mission.  You  will  go  under  the  guidance  of  Christ, 
the  Almighty  Savior,  and  will  be  supported  by  his 
right  hand.  God  will  not  forsake  you,  unless  you  for- 
sake him. 

But  here  pause  a moment,  and  count  the  cost  of  your 
enterprise.  Arc  you  to  expect  unremitting  prosperity? 
Are  you  to  expect  no  hardships,  no  perils,  no  discour- 
agements, no  disappointments,  and  no  adversity  !*  Alas' 


37 


you  know  better.  You  are  to  expect  much  adversity, 
much  opposition,'  many  dark  days,  when  your  hearts 
will  swell  with  grief.  You  have  doubtless  made  your 
calculations  to  meet  with  many  adverse  seasons  of  very 
different  descriptions.  The  days  of  sorrow  you  must 
experience.  These  are  the  lot  of  useful  men.  The 
endearing  connexions  you  have  formed  as  a band  of 
missionar}^  brothers;  and  the  connubial  connexions  you 
have  uprightly  made,  must  soon  be  dissolved.  You 
expect  to  meet  the  bitter  cup  of  sorrow,  as  well  as  the 
cheerful  cup  of  joy  and  consolation:  for  God  has  so 
decreed.  But  will  you  faint  in  the  day  of  adversity? 
Will  you,  after  solemnly  putting  your  hand  to  tlie 
plough,  look  back?  IVill  you  also  go  away?  No:  no 
my  brothers:  You  will  rather  say  with  the  faithful  dis- 
ciples, I^ord,  to  whom  shall  we  go,  but  unto  thee?  Thou 
hast  the  words  of  eternal  life.  We  also  say,  no:  look 
not  back  but  forward  with  vigorous  faith.  Trust  in 
the  Lord  for  ever;  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  ever- 
lasting strength.  In  the  hours  of  affliction  remember 
f Christ  and  his  afflicted  Apostles,  while  executing  your 
arduous  mission.  Remember  the  martyrs  enrolled  on 
the  Divine  page.  Remember  particularly  those  bless- 
ed men  arrayed  in  white  robes,  and  let  the  recording 
angel  attach  your  names  to  the  register.  For  these  are 
they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  wash- 
ed their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb — and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their 
eyes. 

In  a word;  let  the  Lord  be  your  portion,  and  Christ 
your  leader  and  confidence;  let  grace  be  your  speech, 
and  humility  your  dress;  let  secret  and  social  prayer 
be  your  breath;  the  glory  of  God  in  the  salvation  of 
souls  your  object,  and  heaven  your  final  rest.  Go, 


38 


then,  with  the  tender  companions  of  your  bosoms,  like 
pilgrims  and  strangers,  and  lay  your  bodies  by  the  side 
of  Ziegenbalg  and  Swartz,  that  you  may  meet  them 
and  Eliot  and  Brainerd,  and  all  other  faithful  missiona- 
ries, in  the  realms  of  light,  and  so  be  ever  with  the 
Lord.  We,  in  the  mean  time,  will  pray,  that  the  sal- 
vation of  souls  may  be  your  joy,  and  crown  of  rejoic- 
ing in  the  day  of  the  Lord.  Amen. 


RIGHT  HAMD 


OF 

FEJLILOWSHIP. 

BY  SAMUEL  WORCESTER,  D.D. 

Pastor  of  the  Tabernacle  Church  in  Salem. 


GOD  IS  LOVE.  The  Divine  Persons  of  the  adorable 
Trixity  inhabit  eternity  in  affection  and  fellow- 
ship infinitely  high  and  blessed.  Holy  angels,  in  their 
different  orders,  all  dwell  in  love,  and  dwell  in  God. 
Man  was  originally  formed  for  the  same  exalted  hap- 
piness; but  he  fell  by  transgression  into  enmity  and 
misery.  The  fall  was  complete;  the  enmity  was  fixed; 
the  misery  must  have  been  hopeless: — but  Divine  mer- 
cy interposed.  The  Son,  who  was  “in  the  bosom  of 
the  Father,”  assumed  the  office  of  Mediator,  and  died 
on  the  cross  to  make  reconciliation;  that  as  many  of 
our  revolted  race  as  should  believe  in  him  might  re- 
ceive forgiveness,  and  be  restored  to  the  fellowship  of 
Heaven.  Rising  from  the  dead,  he  ascended  up  on 
high,  leading  captivity  captive,  and  received  gifts  for 
men,  even  for  the  rebellious,  that  the  Lord  God  might 
dwell  among  them:  “and  he  gave  some,  apostles;  and 
some,  prophets;  and  some,  evangelists;  and  some,  pas- 
tors and  teachers;  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  for  the  building  of  the  body  of 
Christ:  till”  the  redeemed,  of  every  tongue,  and  kindred, 
and  nation,  “all  come  in  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a perfect  man,  un- 
to the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ.” 


40 


Here  ‘‘there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  Barbarian,  Scy- 
thian, bond  nor  free;”  but  “there  is  one  body  and  one 
Spirit;  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism;  one  God  and 
Father  of  all.” 

Such  is  the  purport  of  the  Gospel:  and  when  this 
glorious  dispensation  came  to  be  rightly  understood 
and  felt,  James,  Cephas,  and  John,  the  distinguished 
apostles  of  the  circumcision,  perceiving  the  grace  con- 
ferred on  Paul  and  Barnabas,  affectionately  and  sol- 
emnly gave  to  them  THE  RIGHT  HANDS  OF  FELLOW- 
SHIP, THAT  THEY  SHOULD  GO  UNTO  THE  HEATHEN. 

This  memorable  example  is  specially  applicable  to  the 
present  occasion. 

By  the  solemnities  of  this  day,  you,  Messrs.  Judson, 
Nott,  Newell,  Hall,  and  Rice,  are  publicly  set 
apart  for  the  service  of  God  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son, 
among  tlie  Heathen.  With  reference,  therefore,  to 
this  momentous  service,  we,  who  are  -still  to  labor 
in  the  same  Gospel  here  at  home,  in  the  presence  of 
God,  angels,  and  men,  now  give  to  you,  dear  Brethren, 
THE  RIGHT  HANDS  OF  FELLOWSHIP.  It  is  llOt  ail 
empty  ceremony;  it  is  the  act  of  our  hearts,  and  its 
import  is  high  and  sacred.  It  expresses  our  acknowl- 
edgement of  you  as  duly  authorised  ministers  of  Christ; 
our  approbation  of  the  service  to  which  you  are  sepa- 
rated; the  obligation  upon  us  to  render  you  every  assist- 
ance in  our  power;  and  our  readiness  to  welcome,  as 
fellow  citizens  with  the  saints,  those  who  by  your  min- 
istry may  be  turned  from  their  vanities  to  embrace  the 
common  salvation. 

We  trust,  dear  Brethren,  that  you  are  sincerely  and 
devotedly  the  servants  of  the  most  High  God,  whom 
we  also  serve;  and  we  thank  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord 
that  unto  you  is  this  grace  given,  that  you  should 
preach  among  the  Gentiles  his  unsearchable  riclies. 


41 


VVe  hesitate  not,  in  tliis  public  and  solemn  manner, 
to  testify  our  full  approbation  of  the  particular  service 
to  which  you  are  appointed.  We  are  not  of  the  number 
of  those,  who  hold  the  religion  of  Brahma  to  be  as 
good  for  the  people  of  India,  as  the  religion  of  Jesus; 
nor  can  we  believe  the  polluted  and  bloody  rites  of  a 
pagan  pagoda  to  be  as  acceptable  to  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel,  as  the  pure  and  spiritual  worship  of  a Christian 
temple.  No,  dear  Brethren,  we  have  not  so  learned 
Christ.  We  know  upon  the  word  of  God,  that  “the 
things  which  the  gentiles  sacrifice,  they  sacrifice  to  de- 
mons and  not  to  God;”  that  righteousness  has  no  fel- 
lowship  with  unrighteousness,  light  no  communion 
with  darkness,  Christ  no  fellowship  with  Belial:  that 
“all  the  world  lieth  in  wdekedness,”  and  under  just  con- 
demnation; and  that  “there  is  none  other  name  under 
heaven,  given  among  men,”  by  which  to  be  saved, 
than  the  name  of  Jesus.  We  believe,  in  a word,  that 
the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God  was  not  unnecessarily 
shed;  that  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  through  him 
was  not  unnecessarily  instituted.  We  are,  therefore, 
not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  nor  do  w'e  esteem 
it  of  little  importance  to  mankind;  but  we  glory  in  it,  as 
“the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  thatbe- 
lieveth,  to  the  Jew  first  and  also  to  the  Greek.”  We 
also  hold  the  unrevoked  edict  of  the  risen  Savior  to  be 
not  only  a sufficient  warrant,  but  a solemn,  authoritative 
dicection  to  go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
THE  gospel  to  EVERY  CREATURE.  VV’’e,  therefore, 
hail  the  day — the  auspicious  day,  which  w’e  have  long 
desired  to  see: — this  day,  dear  Brethren,  on  which  we 
solemnly  present  you  to  God,  as  a “kind  of  first  fruits” 
of  his  American  churches.  We  bow  the  knee  with  de- 
vout thanksgivings  to  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Father  of  glorv,  that  he  has  inclined  your 
6 


42 


hearts  and  is  favoring  you  with  an  opportunity  to  go  to 
“them  who  are  far  oif,”  with  the  words  by  which  they 
and  their  children  may  be  saved. 

Go  then,  beloved  Brethren,  as  “the  messengers  of” 
these  “churches,  and  the  glory  of  Christ.”  Go,  carry 
to  the  poor  Heathen,  tlte  good  news  of  pardon,  peace, 
and  eternal  life.  Tell  them  of  the  God  whom  we  adore; 
of  the  Savior  in  whom  we  trust;  pf  the  glorious  im- 
mortality for  which  we  hope.  Tell  them  of  Him, 

WHOSE  STAR  WAS  SEEN  IN  THE  EAST;  and  poiut 

them  to  that  blood,  with  which  he  will  sprinkle 

MANY  NATIONS. 

We  participate  with  you  in  this  great  undertaking; 
our  hearts  are  joined  with  yours,  and  by  the  right  hand 
which  we  give  you  we  shall  hold  ourselves  inviolably 
pledged,  as  God  shall  enable  us,  for  your  help.  We 
are  not  insensible  to  the  sacrifices  which  you  make,  or 
to  the  dangers  and  sufferings  to  which  you  are  devoted. 
You  stand  this  day  “a  spectacle  to  God,  to  angels,  and 
to  men.”  You  are  in  the  act  of  leaving  parents,  and 
friends,  and  country,  “for  Christ  and  the  Gospel’s 
sake.”  A land  of  darkness,  and  of  the  shadow  of  death 
is  before  you;  and  you  are  to  erect  the  standard  of  the 
cross  where  Satan  has  long  held  his  cruel  and  bloody 
empire.  Your  eyes  will  be  pained  with  sights  of  re- 
volting impurity  and  horror;  your  hearts  will  be  wrung 
with  anguish  for  immortal  souls  in  the  most  dreadful 
bondage:  and  while  you  strive  for  their  rescue,  you 
will  have  to  contend,  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  with 
principalities  and  powers,  with  the  rulers  of  the  dark- 
ness of  this  world,  with  spiritual  wickedness  in  high 
places.  But  you  go,  we  trust,  in  the  strength  of  the 
Lord;  and  the  weapons  of  your  warfare  “are  not  car- 
nal, but  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of 
strong  holds,  casting  down  imaginations,  and  every 


46 


high  thing  tliat  exulteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of 
God.”  This  is  our  confidence,  this  is  our  consolation 
respecting  you. 

But,  dear  Brethren,  we  shall  have  you  in  the  tender.! 
est  remembrance,  and  shall  not  cease  to  make  mention 
of  you  in  our  prayers.  We  sliall  not  cease  to  beseech 
the  Allsufficicnt  God  to  be  your  shield,  and  your  ex* 
ceeding  great  reward;  evermore  to  cheer  you  with  his 
presence,  and  gird  you  with  his  strength;  to  stablish 
your  hearts  with  grace,  and  give  you  a mouth  atid  wis- 
dom which  none  shall  be  able  to  gainsay  or  resist;  and 
to  open  to  you  a great  door  and  eflfectual;  and  causft 
you  to  hear  extensively  around  you  the  shouts  of  sal- 
vation. 

Our  hearts  desire  and  prayer  to  God  for  the  people 
to  whom  you  are  going  is,  that  they  may  gladly  receive 
the  Gospel,  and  be  saved.  We  shall  wait  with  ardent 
hope  to  be  assured,  that  you  have  not  run  in  vain,  nei- 
ther labored  in  vain.  It  will  give  us  unspeakable)  joy 
to  know,  that  on  the  banks  of  the  Indus,  the  Ganges,  or 
the  Ava,  by  means  of  the  pious  liberalities  and  efforts 
of  this  western  world,  the  Gospel  is  preached  with  suc- 
cess, ehurches  are  planted,  and  the  praises  of  the  Re- 
deemer are  sung.  Trusting  in  God,  we  anticipate  the 
glorious  scene.  Already  do  we  seem  to  hear  from  the 
farthest  East,  the  grateful,  swelling  song,  “How  beau- 
tiful upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet  of  them  who 
bring  good  tidings,  who  publish  peace,  who  bring 
good  tidings  of  good,  who  publish  salvation.”  Bles- 
sed day,  when,  from  the  throne  of  Heaven,  Zion  shall 
hear  the  word,  “Arise,  shine;  for  thy  light  is  come, 
and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee:”  and 

THE  GENTILES  SHALL  COME  TO  HER  LIGHT,  AND 
KINGS  TO  THE  BRIGHTNESS  OF  HER  RISING.  The 

day  will  come;  it  is  rapidly  approaching:  the  word  and 


44 


providence  of  God  declare  it  to  be  near.  The  gleams 
of  the  dawn  are  even  now  to  be  seen.  Let  the  cheer- 
ing prospect,  dear  Brethren,  animate  your  hearts  and 
stimulate  your  exertions.  You  are  but  the  precursors 
of  many,  who  shall  follow  you  in  this  arduous,  glori- 
ous enterprise:  for  the  Gospel  shall  be  preached  to  all 
nations,  and  all  people  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God. 

Beloved  Brethren,  be  of  good  courage;  go  in  peace; 
and  may  the  Lord  God  of  the  holy  apostles  and  proph- 
ets go  with  you.  We  commend  you  to  him,  and  to 
the  word  of  his  grace;  and  devoutly  .pray,  that  m the 
day  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  we  may  have  the  happiness  t® 
see  you  present  many  of  the  Heathen  before  the  throne 
of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy.  Amen. 


* 

I ' ■ ■ 


